Jane Smithson

1933 - 2025

Jane Smithson
Born: January 23, 1933 in Ottawa, IL
Died: December 17, 2025 in La Salle, IL
With hearts full of love and gratitude, we remember Jane Smithson, 92, beloved mother of Deborah (Daniel) Puetz, who passed away in her La Salle home on December 17, 2025 after a four year struggle with chronic renal failure.
Funeral services will be 11:00 AM Tuesday, December 30, at the Hurst Funeral Home La Salle. Burial will be at Oakwood Memorial Park in Ottawa. Visitation will be in the funeral home on Tuesday from 9:00 AM until time of services.
Jane was born during the Great Depression on January 23, 1933 in Ottawa. She married Ernest "Bud" Smithson on June 21, 1952. She worked at Illinois Bell phone company as a telephone operator and at Florence Nightingale Day nursery as a preschool teacher.
The crowning glory for Jane was the arrival of her grandchildren, Amy Jane (Puetz) Stash, Andrew Smithson, Timothy Puetz, Aaron Smithson, Jeffrey Puetz, and Amelia Smithson. She delighted in play time with them, which included playing wiffleball well into her 80s. From cheering them on in sports, attending school performances and birthday parties she delighted in her grandchildren as much if not more than she delighted in raising her children.
Jane loved to lose herself in a good book, and enjoyed word games, especially Scrabble with Deb and Amy, and doing crossword puzzles. Her vocabulary was exceptional. She had a passion for classic movies, westerns, TV game shows, and Illinois Valley fried chicken. She loved to play marathon games of cribbage with her husband Bud, her son and her grandsons. She was known for her trademark spunk even until the end. She was never afraid to voice her opinion or to mince words.
Jane made everyone feel welcome in her home, truly making them feel important. She knew how to find joy in simple things. She was a very strong woman and showered her family and friends with hugs, laughter and unconditional love. Life threw its share of challenges her way, but she faced each one with unwavering courage and quiet resilience. Her strength wasn't loud or boastful-it was steady, enduring, and deeply inspiring.
She is survived by her daughter, Deborah (Daniel) Puetz; the above mentioned grandchildren; grandson Daniel Stash; great grandchildren Landon Puetz, Ruby and Owen Stash, Oliver, Eli, Vera and Avery Smithson; nieces; and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Ernie (Bud) Smithson, her son, Ernie Smithson Jr., her sister, Dona Marie Fitzpatrick, her grandson Adam Joseph Puetz.
Pallbearers will be her grandchildren.
Online condolences may be viewed and remembrances shared at www.hurstfuneralhomes.com.